Pages

Sunday, September 19, 2010

First Priority for Bob Brown and the Greens: Euthanasia Laws!

Not long after the Greens in the NSW Parliament have gained an amendment to the Adoption Act to allow gay couples the 'right' to adopt (in preference to the 'rights' of a child to have a mother and a father), federal Greens leader Bob Brown has announced that his first legislative priority in the new Federal parliament will be to change laws which currently prevent the Territories from introducing 'voluntary euthanasia' laws.

Euthanasia was legalised in the Northern Territory, by the (so-called) "Rights of the Terminally Ill Act" in 1995. Soon after, the law was voided by the Commonwealth government by amending the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978. Before the Commonwealth government made this amendment, however, three people had practiced euthanasia, aided by Dr Philip Nitschke. Brown's goal will be to amend the Northern Territory Act and the corresponding Act for the Australian Capital Territory.

With an increased representation in the federal parliament the Greens are more likely to be able to advance their ultra-progressive and anti-Christian agendas, including Gay rights, Euthanasia, removal of all censorship, removing rights for Christian organisations to prefer to employ Christians and ultimately limiting the ability of Christian groups to proclaim the gospel.

Here is what the article says:

Greens reignite right-to-die debate SMH September 19, 2010 - 9:57AMOne of the Australian Greens' first parliamentary priorities will be to try to overturn laws which stop the territories from legislating around euthanasia.

Greens leader Bob Brown said today that after ensuring there was more time to debate private member's bills in the new parliament, he would turn his attention to euthanasia laws.

Senator Brown wants to overturn laws that stop the ACT and Northern Territory from legislating on the controversial issue.

"That was a taking away of the democratic rights of the people of the two territories," he told Network Ten.

"This won't bring in euthanasia but it will restore the rights of the territorians to be able to legislate for euthanasia the same as everybody in the states."

Senator Brown said his move was less about discussing the right to die and more about instigating a "full on" debate about territory rights.A conscience vote on restoring the territories' right to legislate on euthanasia was an option, he added, but that would be fleshed out during upcoming talks with the major parties.

Senator Brown later said in a statement that he would use the first extended private members time in the new parliament to reintroduce a bill extending territory rights and legalising euthanasia.

"My bill would restore the right of territory parliaments to pass laws that would allow terminally ill people to choose a death with dignity," he said.

"This right was taken away under the Howard government.

"While this bill is about territory rights, a huge majority of Australians support voluntary euthanasia and it is time for federal parliament to openly debate the issue."

Senator Brown first moved the Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) in 2008.A spokesman for a national coalition of pro-voluntary euthanasia groups said it was ''appalling'' that the federal government had removed the NT's right to self-legislate.

''Bob Brown's bill is an important milestone in the nation's maturity towards recognising your last right,'' Neil Francis, representing groups such as Dying With Dignity Victoria, said.

''(It's) a right that 85 per cent of Australians want.''

Former NT chief minister Marshall Perron, who was integral to the right-to-die fight in there, said the territories were not colonies and should be given the same powers as the states.

''The NT will one day become the seventh state of Australia and citizens who choose to live, work and die there are entitled to the same rights as those who live in the states,'' he said.

''When, not if, a state passes voluntary euthanasia laws the Commonwealth will be powerless to stop it. Territorians are entitled to the same standing.''

1 comment:

The Australian Federal Government has so far, stood firm in its stance of NO to Euthanasia, but Bob and his bunch of cronies are going to do all they can to see that each State and Territory can decide for itself if it will legalise so called ‘mercy killing' – euthanasia. Who knows what will eventuate now that we have a self professed atheistic Prime Minister.

Whatever happened to the sacredness of human life? Used to be ‘from the womb to the tomb’ life was valued as a gift, to be treated with love and respect. Now it seems if you are old and frail, then you can be ‘terminated’....... with dignity!

"For we know brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."(1 Thessalonians 1:13-14)